Halloween Safety Tips and Ideas for your dog

How to keep your dog safe this Halloween

Halloween is a favorite holiday for many people all over the world, so of course we want to include our pets in the fun.

There are a few things to consider while preparing for All Hallow's Eve this year, especially if you plan to include your pets.

First things first, Keep everybody safe!

Below we will cover

• foods to avoid
• costume ideas (and considerations about collars, harnesses, and leashes)
• pet proofing your home, how to keep your dogs calm and contained while opening and closing the door for trick or treaters all night!

Foods your pup should avoid

We all know dogs can't eat chocolate.  Right?  But did you know that other sweeteners and ingredients in food are also really bad for your dog and could cause illness or even death?

• Before you even read further, if your pet has ingested in any of these, please call your emergency vet for medical advice! 
  
  
• Chocolate contains caffeine and Theobromine - the darker the chocolate, the more dangerous it is.  Symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhea, increased heart rate, restlessness, and seizures.
• Raisins and Grapes - even a small amount can cause major problems, including kidney failure.  Symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, decreased appetite, and abdominal pain.
• Birch Sugar (also called Xylitol) is found any many sugar free candies and gum.  Can cause a severe drop in blood sugar and lead to liver failure in dogs.  Symptoms: Vomiting, weakness, tremors, seizures, and even coma.
• Any High Sugar Content candies (let's just cover them all!) your dog doesn't need it and it will likely cause stomach upset and high fat content can cause pancreatitis.
• Candy Wrappers!  Even if the candy itself isn't toxic for your dog, the wrapper is a choking hazard and could pose serious risk for your dog.

Should your dog dress up in a costume?

We've all seen the funny videos of dogs in costumes, trying to escape or figure out how to walk.  It is great for a chuckle, but the dog may be extremely uncomfortable or unhappy.

You can always use a Halloween themed Bandana or Halloween dog collar or harness instead of a full costume. 

If you do decide to dress your pup up for trick or treating, make sure that any costume you choose gives your dog unrestricted movement and make sure there are no small parts that could be chewed off or swallowed.  Make sure your pet is comfortable and not too hot in the costume.

Pet Proofing your home and keeping your dogs from escaping on the spooky night

Baby gates are your friend!  If you have an entry way or a good area to put up a temporary baby gate, it is a great idea while you are opening and closing the door all night for little costumed friends. 

You can also use a temporary kennel enclosure to block off the doorway and keep your dogs inside and safe while you give out treats.

If you don't have an easy way to block off the door, the other option is to keep your dog on a secure harness or collar and leash while greeting your visitors or create a safe "quiet space" for your dog with some music or white noise to distract from the noise.

Make sure your dog is wearing identification such as a custom dog collar with your phone number and/or dog id tags with your information so that you can be contacted when your dog is found.

The Hot Dog Collars site has a great article about what should be included on your dog id tag for the best chance of getting your dog back.

Make it fun!

Most importantly, with a few safety precautions, Halloween can be a fun time for the whole family, including your pup, but make sure you consider your dog's temperament and how he or she feels about people before deciding to include them in the fun.